“Are you upset?” Emily whispered into Draco’s neck. They were in their Dungeon, snuggled up. Alicia had told them that Blaise was basically taking over for Draco. He was a part of the Inquisitorial Squad and working with his father again. It wasn’t a pleasant conversation.

“Upset about what?” Draco replied impassively.

“About him taking your place… I mean he’s doing what you’re supposed to be doing,” Emily said in a small voice, exasperation in her tone. She felt like she tore him away from everything—his family, his friends, his life.

“No, Emily, and I know what you’re thinking. My life is nothing without you and I’m not giving you up for that stupidity. The only thing I’m upset about is that Blaise is actually going along with it; I thought he was smarter than that. And I’m upset that you’re still unhappy.”

Emily sighed into his skin, but didn’t say anything. She wasn’t going to deny that she was still upset about everything, so she stayed quiet. He kissed her hair softly, rubbing her back.

“Maybe you should owl him…” Draco suggested warily.

Emily tensed immediately, trying to remind herself that she was upset with Sirius, not Draco. “I don’t think so,” Emily said quietly.

“Ems, I just don’t want you to regret this later on—” he began.

“I said no, Draco. Just drop it,” Emily said shortly. Draco sighed deeply as he stroked Emily’s hair some more. He kissed her cheek and went for her lips, but she turned her head and he caught her ear instead. Her lips were pressed into a tight line and her eyes were focused on the wall opposite them.

“Ems, I just worry about you… I only want your happiness,” he whispered against her ear. She shivered involuntarily as she bit her bottom lip.

“Haven’t you heard? You don’t always get what you want,” she whispered as her hands threaded together in her lap, fidgeting.

Draco was quiet for a minute, too quiet for her liking. She thought about leaving but couldn’t bring herself to leave his warm embrace.

“Emily James Remus Amelia Sirius Black,” he said carefully as his hands enclosed around hers. “I love you more than anything and I will do whatever I have to in order to make you happy again,” he whispered. Emily’s cheeks felt wet as she turned her head into his shoulder, her tears seeping through his sweater.

“It won’t happen until I know that Alicia’s safe, that we’re all safe,” she whispered, choking back a sob.

“Ems,” he whispered as he tightened his arms around her. She shook her head, squirming away from him. He dropped his hold on her immediately, a frown forming on his face. She stood up quickly, grabbing her wand and he followed suit.

“Where are you going?” he asked quietly.

“Common Room,” she said shortly.

“Why?” Draco asked, his tone hurt.

“I’m supposed to meet Jamie and Alicia there…” Emily said quietly as she headed for the door.

“Why are you pushing me away?” Draco said, so low that he didn’t know if she heard him. But she replied all the same.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast,” she said quietly, her hand on the door already. She pushed it open, nearly running back to Gryffindor Tower.

“Hey,” Emily said quietly as she sat beside Alicia on the couch. Jamie was at their feet, his homework from Umbridge in his lap. Emily smirked slightly, glad she finished it over the break.

“You never did answer Draco’s question…” Alicia murmured, peering over Jamie’s shoulder to make sure he got the right answers.

“Stop spying on me,” Emily scowled.

“No thanks,” Alicia grinned.

“It wasn’t a question. It was a demand, Ali,” Emily muttered. Alicia laughed.

“But really… Why are you pushing him away?” Alicia said seriously.

“You’re pushing Draco away?” Jamie asked as he turned to look at her. He raised his eyebrows questioningly and she scowled at him too.

“Don’t worry about it… It’s nothing.” Emily flicked her hair over her shoulder and sighed.

“Where’s Harry?” Emily asked suddenly, looking around and changing the subject.

“On his way back with Ron and Hermione,” Alicia murmured, her eyes suddenly focusing on something far away. Emily watched her curiously as Jamie turned back around to do his homework.

Fred and George were causing quite a bit of ruckus with their new Headless Hats. Emily rolled her eyes at their stupidity. What was the point in making your head disappear with a hat?

Harry walked through the Portrait Hole, Hermione and Ron right beside him. Emily glanced at him as Alicia's eyes turned pink. Hermione started questioning the Headless Hats before Harry muttered something.

He started shoving his things in his bag while Hermione told him to use his homework planner.

“I think I’ll go to bed,” Harry muttered after stuffing his planner in his bag too.

Alicia snorted suddenly, her eyes back to normal. Harry locked eyes with her, grinning fleetingly at her. After Harry ascended the stairs, Alicia turned to Ron and Jamie.

“You need to go check on him. Now,” she said in a rush, basically pushing them up the stairs.

“What happened?” Emily said in a low voice so nobody else could hear.

“Voldemort’s happy… There’s—er—been a break out,” Alicia whispered. Emily gulped, looking down at her hands, which were now shaking.

“A break out?” Emily whispered as Alicia practically dragged her up the stairs to their room. “From where?”

“Azkaban.”


TAAGGG, ABBIII!!